Never Miss A Story.

Daily Edition

Rice branches out, inks deal with WMA

Empty

For Condoleezza Rice, life after the Bush administration begins with WMA, which has signed the former Secretary of State as a client.

The former professor and Stanford provost served under Bush as national security adviser and then as Secretary of State.

Although most members of the Bush administration might have trouble finding such a wide- ranging deal, Rice found a strong market among talent agencies.

"It was certainly a competitive situation," WMA CEO Jim Wiatt said. "She was very thorough about the process and who she would feel most comfortable with and who would be speaking on her behalf."

It's unlikely Rice will turn up as a talking head, however. The deal includes representation for books, lecture appearances and philanthropic initiatives in addition to media, sports and communications.

WMA New York office co-COO Wayne Kabak said the agency was struck by Rice's well-rounded résumé in policy, politics and music, as well as her interest in sports and other areas.

Rice is an accomplished concert pianist and a big NFL fan.

"It's more than just books; it's much more than just lectures," Kabak said. "We're here to help her create and enhance an agenda that is very important to her in her post-government career." (partialdiff)